Marville’s Spanish roots

Before arriving at Marville, you’ll see, on your right-hand side, the former NATO base which was closed down in 1967. The Canadian totem-pole in Virton near the Tourist Office reminds us that many military families spent 12 years in the neighborhood (1st WING, RCAF from 1954 to 1967). This real Totem-Pole was offered by the Canadians out of gratitude for the warm hospitality of the locals.
In the 16th century and until 1661, Marville was a prosperous town. During its so-called “Spanish-Lorraine age”, the town grew rich and many beautiful houses were built either by aristocrats, burghers or merchants. Let’s bear in mind that Marville belonged to the Spanish Netherlands at that time. The town which counted 3000 inhabitants was also a Spanish garrison town. The troops brought their own way of life as well as their architecture.

Saint Nicholas’ church

The Gothic St Nicola’s church is Marville’s parish church. It was built in the 13th century, and replaced the former St Hilaire’s church which had become too small and too distant from the village. Both the main portal and the gigantic rose window date back to the 15th century. The Baroque church tower was rebuilt in the 18th century after a fire.

Inside the church

- The entrance: a cast-iron font supported by two dogs and decorated with two portraits of women (Eve, before and after original sin?) – The south have: a Renaissance bas-relief is to be noticed. This bas-relief is part of a grave. St Joseph’s chapel with a nice wooden statue of St Joseph, notice the expression of gentleness on his face. Our Lady’s chapel includes a modern altar topped by three finely sculped Gothic canopies. Under the window, a three-piece altarpiece dating back to the late 13th century. In the middle: the Crucifixion, on the right: Christ and Mary-Magdalene, on the left St Peter and St Paul. On the floor the epitaph of Pierre Mangin and the symbolic representation of the four Evangelists: the Lion, the Bull, the Eagle and the Angel. – The choir: an Ecce Homo Christ and the gravestone of Salentin de Gavroy (1609). – The north nave: chapel “Notre-Dame des Pelletiers” (furriers). The tabernacle dates back to the 15th century. On the left, a 15th century statue o St Magdalene. On the right, St Anthony and his pig; under his feet, the flames symbolize Hell. – St Fine’s chapel with an old cast-iron font; stairs lead to this chapel in which a pilgrimage is organized every September. St Fine cures deafness and earaches. She is represented with a grill in her hand as she was sentenced to grill alive because she would not renounce her faith. – The chapel of the Sepulchre with a beautiful wooden statue of Christ. – The chapel of St Anthony of Padua with a strange Renaissance ceiling decorated with the Good Shepherd and the twelve Disciples. – Before leaving, look at the sculpted balustrade near the organ.

Outside the church

- Western side: beautiful rose window, the wooden statue of the Virgin used to stand here. – Southern side: decorated with a 16th century frieze. – Near the window of the 15th century chapel, you’ll see a cornice decorated with children. A little higher, there are monsters and higher again two medallions. Notice the gargoyles too.

The village

Marville is surrounded by a fortified wall.

- A picturesque small street leads to the “Poterne”. It’s an opening in the wall from which the panorama on the fields is really nice. – Place St. Benoit. – Grand-Place: remarkable fronts, especially the 17th century Liesenfeld House. – Rue de Basles: the 16th century Guillaume House. Look at the balcony and the balustrade to discover the legend of the 4 Aymon Sons (the capture of Bayard, Renaud’s arrival at the cathedral of Cologne) and mythological scenes (Thisbe’s death, Diana, Acteon being eaten by his dog, the statues of David and Goliath). Down the street, stands the house where the German Kaiser lived in 1914. – Rue du Tripot: once a street with many taverns and pubs. – Rue des Prêtres: remarkable fronts.

St Hilaire’s cemetery

The Romanesque St Hilaire chapel (usually closed) dates back to the 12th century. Very interesting 14th century gravestones. If you can, do visit the cemetery on a sunny afternoon. The vegetation, the arrangement of the tombs and the sunshine will cast you in a timeless world.
You’ll see humble graves, wooden and glass crosses as well as remarkably sculpted stones.
Don’t miss: – The “Calvaire de Mouza”: a 16th century wooden Christ. – The “Christ aux liens”: a 16th century statue. – A 15th century Pietà and the stele representing the Twelve Disciples. – The Annunciation. – The Ossuary located in an eastern corner of the cemetery. Behind a colonnade, you’ll suddenly discover the frightful sight of 40,000 piled skulls.
According to researches, the bones would date from the 15th to the 19th century. In 1890, the cemetery keeper Constant Motsch restored the ossuary and put some order in the different bones. Here and there, you will notice skulls enclosed in boxes looking like clocks (hence their name: death clocks).
To end on a lighter note, let’s remember the old pun: “Viens voir les os ranges de Marville”. In French, piled bones sounds exactly like orange-tree. A guileless visitor knowing that Marville was a Spanish town, might come in the hope to see beautiful orange-trees and find out that he’d been tricked.

- Souvenirs and postcards are on sale at the town hall. – Guides visits of the town and the cemetery.

Contact the town hall of Marville for information or bookings;
Tél: (0033) (0) 329.88.15.15
Fax: (0033) (0) 329.88.14.60

[Edité le 26 Août 2010]